274
LENIN MISCELLANY

Chicherin's statement regarding his departure abroad made the surrender of the white government a condition, but it fled. Do not permit departures abroad for now. Use arrested officers for labor. Those remaining at liberty—for the same purpose. The telegram of the Revolutionary War Council of the Republic regarding the direction of some of them to the center remains in force.

Lenin

Printed from typewritten
copy.

15509

RESOLUTION ON THE TELEGRAM OF THE MILITARY COMMANDANT 
OF THE PETROGRAD DISTRICT*

March 10, 1920

To the Council of Defense on the agenda.

4872

TELEGRAM TO G. K. ORDZHONIKIDZE
Caucasian Front**

March 11, 1920

I am very pleased with your report that you expect the complete rout of Denikin soon, but I fear your excessive optimism.

The Poles, evidently, will make war with them inevitable. Therefore the main task now is not the Caucasian Labor Army, but preparation for the fastest possible transfer of the maximum of troops to the Western Front. Concentrate all efforts on this task. Use prisoners most vigorously for the same purpose.

Lenin

* The telegram raised the question of abolishing the food commission of the Petrograd military district in view of its complete inactivity.

** At the direction of V. I. Lenin, a copy of this telegram was sent to I. V. Stalin, who was at that time on the Southwestern Front. In the margins of the original, written in V. I. Lenin's hand, there is his note: "All in cipher."

1920

37457

TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR COUNCIL OF THE REPUBLIC

March 11, 1920

Chicherin writes to me:

"5,000 French officers have arrived in Poland, Foch is expected, and there are few chances to avoid war. Our systematic peacefulness proves to the Polish masses that they have nothing to fear from us, while threats will be used by the imperialists to spoil the mood favorable to us among the masses. But absolutely necessary are sufficient military preparations. One must be ready for the worst.

In Finland there is an outbreak of chauvinism, because after the collapse of the White Guards, our occupation of the entire north buries the Great Finnish dreams. For the Finnish activists it is 'now or never.' The Vennola Ministry, cowardly and moderate, has resigned. Activists cannot be intimidated by threats. On the contrary, they use our threats to raise the morale of their own masses. It is necessary to be militarily ready in any case. On the Finnish front, readiness for defense is necessary.

Khanhoy*, although he polemicizes, is nevertheless insistently pressing for negotiations. If all forces had to be directed against Poland and Finland and if peace could obtain oil, would it not be necessary to postpone war there...".

Litvinov also warns that Poland will wage war, that our peaceful proposals are considered weakness.**

Lenin

15372

ON THE ORDER OF MOVEMENT OF EMERGENCY TRAINS 
ON THE RAILWAYS OF THE RSFSR

(DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE, MARCH 12, 1920)

For the complete utilization of transport capacity and the saving of fuel in the Republic, it is categorically forbidden to move emergency trains on the network of railways of the RSFSR

* Minister of foreign affairs of the bourgeois Musavat government in Azerbaijan, overthrown by workers and peasants on April 28, 1920.

** Printed from the original signed by V. I. Lenin. The last paragraph is written in his hand.